The Times of Zambia reports today that Mines and Minerals Development deputy minister Bornface Nkhata yesterday told Parliament that Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) still has an outstanding financial obligation of K7.9 billion to Mukuba Pension Scheme. The failure of privatised mining companies to honour the pension responsibilities for former employees of the state-owned firm has been a topic of massive anger and controversy on the Copperbelt. Tensions over land and squatting of mine land for farming are explained at least in part by the poverty of pensioners and those laid off from their previous jobs in the mines.
Mr Nkhata said the financial obligation arose from an actuarial funding deficit covering the five years period from March 2000 to September 2005.
He said this when responding to a question by Kankoyo MP Percy Chanda (PF) who wanted to know when MCM would remit pensioners' contributions to the Mukuba pension scheme, and when Mukuba would in turn pay the pensioners. Mr Chanda also wanted to know who would pay the interest on pensions once finally paid. Mr Nkhata explained that although Mukuba Pensions Scheme and MCM have held discussion over the issue, the two parties have not resolved the actuarial funding to pay MCM employees their full pension.
As a result, the pensioners have commenced court proceedings against MCM for non-payment of their benefits. In turn, MCM has also instituted court proceeding against Mukuba Pension Scheme because they have raised a dispute on the actuarial deficit to be paid to Mukuba. Mines and Minerals Development minister Kalombo Mwansa said he did not want to start explaining the position of former Roan Antelope Mining Corporation (RAMCOZ) pensioners, as that would require the ministry researching.Dr Mwansa was responding to a supplementary question by Roan MP Chishimba Kambwili (PF) who wanted to know the position of former RAMCOZ employees.
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